The continuing saga with David Bodoh

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Some comments about the Community Breakfast

Below is a letter written By Carmen concerning the Community Breakfast. I really never thought of it that way. Perhaps we need some feedback on this one. Post your comments below.
Way to go Carmen

Just an FYI.
Maria Cadenas
Executive Director
Cream City Foundation
759 N. Milwaukee Street, Suite 212
Milwaukee , WI 53202
414.225.0244
director@creamcityfoundation.org
www.creamcityfoundation.org
Proud member of Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee and Leave a Legacy
_____________________________________________________________________
From: Carmen Murguia [mailto:murguia66@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 11:47 AM
To: Visioning Project
Subject: RE: Community Breakfast Oct. 27th

In the future, can you please hold this event at a different location than the lgbt center where we have always had it b/c if it is about the entire lgbt community and for the entire lgbt community, it would be nice for it to be at a neutral place. gracias, Carmen a. Murguia
__________________________________________________
From: director@creamcityfoundation.org
To: murguia66@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:02:03 -0400
Subject: Community Breakfast Oct. 27th

Greater Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Visioning Project

visitioningproject.blogspot.com
Join us and learn what is happening in the LGBT community
WHEN: Saturday, October 27th (Food & Registration @ 9am, Discussion @ 10am)
LOCATION: Milwaukee LGBT Community Center , 315 W. Court Street
TOPIC: Open dialogue about the need to recognize the similarities between movements (race, class, gender, LGBT). Join us in this discussion as we think of ways to work with and address the overlap between all our identities as LGBT people.
SHARE: Bring your event, ideas, and other information to share at the Round Robin that closes the event.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Greater Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Visioning Project
FUNDED BY: Cream City Foundation, Cream City Foundation's Joseph R. Pabst LGBT Infrastructure Fund
The Greater Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Project gets all its emails from personal sign up sheets distributed at sponsored events by any of our member groups. Please keep in mind that the Visioning Project is a joint venture of multiple organizations and community leaders including but not limited to: Children's Service Society of Wisconsin, Cream City Foundation, Lesbian Alliance, Milwaukee Gay Arts Center , Milwaukee LGBT Community Center , Queer Program, SAGE/Milwaukee, and The Counseling Center of Milwaukee.

Our mailing address is:
Cream City Foundation
759 N. Milwaukee Street
Suite 212
Milwaukee , WI 53202
Our telephone:
414.225.0244

Copyright (C) 2007 Cream City Foundation All rights reserved.
Forward this email to a friend

What Do You Believe?

The First Unitarian Society is presenting a series of Sermons entitled "What Do You Believe?"
So far there have been two sermons. The first one was about what we believe or don't. Some people ask just what is a Unitarian and what actually do they believe? Our response is that you are not required to believe anything, that is your choice. You can believe in God or not. You can believe in Jesus or not. You can be an Atheist or an agnostic, a Pagan or Buddhist or Transcendentalist, or whatever suits your fancy. Whatever works for you. Of course someone said "I really like you Unitarians, you don't believe in a damn thing."

The second in the series was What is the meaning of life?
Sept. 23 "What happens when we die?"
Sept. 30 "Why do bad things happen?'
Oct. 7 "How do we know right from wrong?'
Oct 14 "Where are we headed?'
Oct. 21 "How do we live?'

Come join us at the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
at the corner of Astor and Ogden
273-5257
Services on Sunday are at 8:45 am, 11 am and 5 pm
We are a welcoming congregation to all LGBTQ people.

Try us, I know you'll like us. A really refreshing change from the rest of organized religion.

My Last Comments on Milw Metropolitan Community Church

If they want to survive they must complete the Healing Process

As usual Murphy's Law took effect. No matter how plainly you write or at what level someone will misunderstand it. Over thirty years of Customer Relations and direct contact with customers one thing is certain, they only hear what they want to hear (or read what they want to read) and miss the point entirely. This I think is the case with MMCC when it comes to the healing process.

The healing process follows several steps. The first is the initial shock of an unexpected event for example the sudden death of someone we love or is close to us. We cry and shed tears and grieve over their unexpected passing. Then we celebrate their passing into a supposed better place, Summerland or Heaven or wherever. The next phase is the letting go. Usually this is a gradual process and as memories fade we get on with our lives.

Some people have a hard time letting go and it takes an abnormally long time to do so. Sometimes they just can't and this is where the problem lies with The Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church. They haven't been able or willing to complete the healing process and get on with life. This along with numerous problems is what is stifling any progress they are trying to make. It is my humble opinion that they must complete the healing process if they ever intend to survive. This is the reason I became disenchanted and left. I was elevated to a position where I had the power to initiate change in a progressive and positive way, but this was not to be.

I gave them ample chances to create dialogue by phone, email, and even face to face but they did not do so. For this reason I have come to the conclusion that the minister has no conflict resolution experience and has not taken a positive leadership position in order to resolve the preexisting problems that continue to plague the church. It makes me wonder if she considers this just another job or what?

In the mean time it is my hope that they take these thoughts to heed these suggestions. Otherwise I don't think they will survive. There are many people I will dearly miss and some I won't. In the meantime I have moved on. Back to my UU roots.

Anyone want to join me?

Did you see MMCC's website?

Wonderful Image by the way, Blue hair and all. Actually it is not really Blue, its because they don't know how to adjust the image so that the background doesn't blend into the hair. Although I will admit it would be interesting and somewhat progressive. C'est la vie.

"I am excited about the opportunity to serve the MMCC congregation and the larger Milwaukee community,” Rev. Woodruff said. “My passion is outreach to those who are on the edges of society: the elderly, young Queer folk, people who are differently-abled -- anyone who struggles to be an active, accepted part of society. Christ calls us to reach out to those on the edges and to care for the stranger.”

Don't you mean the Mentally, Spiritually, and Physically messed up? After all those are the only ones who seem to want to walk into the door.

Bulletins Anyone?
Another thing is that they are offering to email the current Bulletin to those wishing to subscribe. The problem I have is that the site is not encrypted. Any information you enter on the form can be harvested by any spammer. Not only that, why do they need your phone number before they email the bulletin out? There are two problems with this. One is that they are harvesting names and information similar to the phishing schemes currently plaguing the Internet and I believe not exactly the most legal thing to do. The other problem concerns the press or other service wishing to obtain legitimate information. Seems to me like they are screening the applicants so that only approved people receive their bulletin. Kinda strange, don't you think? Makes you wonder what they have to hide. Hypocrisy reigns supreme at MMCC seems to me.

More about my reasons for leaving
The other thing that really bothers me is the fact that after I resigned no one so far has ever tried to find out the reasons why. Considering that I was once a Deacon. Only one person called accusing me of attacking them (something that escapes me) and then threatening me to boot after I mentioned in passing that there were still things relating to the late Mr Broyles on the site. I would think that he would be smarter than that, college education and all. These people really need to get a life.

My great disappointment
I was for a time a Deacon but stepped aside because of the feeling that some were becoming Elitist snobs. This I thought would level the playing field somewhat. Obviously not. Later I met with the minister who indicated that she would like to have me take a greater roll in the church. Again all talk and no action. It has been well over three years since the passing of Lew. I thought it was about time that we got on with life and get past the grieving process so I decided to prod therm along a little bit. Scanning down in my blog the result is only too clear. So I decided it was about time I exited stage left and head for greener pastures.

Will I ever be back. That is highly doubtful. Do I think that this church is doomed like Angels of Hope? I guess we will have to wait and see.

Angels of Hope Bites the Dust or Not?

This just in from the Quest online magazine the breaking news that Elaine Thomas has decided to resign as minister from Angels of Hope MCC as of October 16th 2007. What will happen to Angels of Hope only time will tell. Will it survive or not, that is the question? Personally I wish Elaine all the luck and success in her new endeavors. Click Here for the full story.

One question I have is if she is resigning as minister and going into hospice care, does that mean that as I interpret it according to the By-Laws of the UFMCC that she is giving up her ministry credentials too? According to the way I read it if you don't have a church to minister to for a certain period of time or you resign then you forfeit your credentials. Correct me if I am wrong.

Thank you to several of my friends

Gary,
Thank you for the inclusion. I also read a bit of the blog. up to the two priests at the river. I won't bother to go any further because you have now done what I did 22 years ago. That is telling the organization to go away. You and I can no longer be hypocritical enough to be associated with an organized church community. They will continue to hold to roots of formation that impede any growth in the spirit. May you live on in spiritual growth.
Jeff Hicks, Milw., WI.

Thank you Jeff, a close friend in leather. Thank you Sir, may I have another, and a Stonewall Veteran.

- - - - - - -

Dear Gary:

Thank you for your willingness to share in the recent hardships which you appear to be experiencing because of your choice to separate formally from your former Church family.

I praise you for your courage and your fortitude to be, in the midst of it all, a fountain of truth and courage for the greater Milwaukee Metropolitan area.

You have always been a genuine seeker of Universal Truth in spite of the oppression you have faced in this World of Temporality .

Now that you will have more time on Sundays, perhaps you will be able to be a more active part of the Enlightened Eye Mediation Network

Know that you have my complete support as you continue to expose organized Faith Based Societies to the reality the our Mother, the Earth is no longer resonating with restrictive historic interpretations of sectarianism.

Thank you for supporting the journalistic effort of The Enlightened Eye Meditation Network by linking to the In Praise of the Planet News Service.

I am confident that through this experience you will grow closer still, to your Divine purpose, and realize that this process of separation from your previous congregational life will lead you toward a greater understanding of all that your self appointed higher calling holds in store for you.

If you need anything feel free to let me know!

Your Friend,
The Rev. Andrew, O.M.S.

Enlightened Eye Meditation Network

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enlightenedeye/

Remember as the old saying goes "Religion may be hazardous to your health"

Free at last, Free at last

MMCC coverup or what?

The person responsible for this whole debacle has now requested that their comments be removed from my blog. As a journalist I am wondering if there is a cover up? What is the reason for this? Inquiring minds would like to know. It would be interesting to know the real truth. Wouldn't you like to know too?

Here is what was requested;

You do not have permission to put my text or email on your blog. Please take it off. There is a reason why I didn't send it to everyone.

Yes please tell us the real reason. There are after all three (3) music directors and no one was specifically named.

I invite any and all to contact the Pastor at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church and inquire about what is really going on at this email address MMCC Pastor Wendy

Just so that you know that anything sent via the internet can be intercepted and is not private unless it is encrypted. If it were, that would make me even more suspicious. All the more reason to wonder what you have to hide.

The Truth shall prevail

Another one bites the dust MMCC

Most if not all of you are familiar with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church. Many know that Mr. Lew Broyles unexpectedly passed away during a trip to Mississippi while making arrangements to move down there and set up a new job several years ago. It was revealed to myself and certain others that he had decided that he had overstayed his welcome here and would be resigning his ministry to move down south.

Prior to his passing however Lew elevated a group of us to Deacon status in order to serve the church in his absence until a permanent pastor could be hired to fill the position. We fully expected that the transition would go smoothly but this was not to be because of this unfortunate passing. The church struggled through a interim minister and finally to the current pastor.

One of the problems was and still is the inability to let go of the memory of Mr Broyles. Fully recognizing this fact several years later I wrote the following letter which I present below. It being my intention to poke and prod them as I sometimes do in order to speed the process along. Obviously they missed the point entirely.

Yes, When is Lew Broyles ever going to die?

Every chance we get we refer to him, we compare him and we talk about him as though he never left. Its been several years and we still haven't let go of him. He exists on the both of the Church's web sites. We even buried him under a tree hoping that he would miraculously spring to life and walk into the front door of the church as if nothing ever happened.

Might I remind you that no one since Christ has ever risen from the dead. Not since his death over two thousand years ago or since.

This reminds me of a story of two Buddhist Priests who were about to cross a stream. On the bank was a person of lower class (untouchable) who was unable to walk or cross the stream. In India Buddhist Priests or anyone for that matter were not allowed to even touch such outcasts. Instead the Priest picked up the stranger and proceeded to carry him across the stream. When he got to the other side he set him down and proceeded along the road as if nothing ever happened. Astonished the other priest asked the one why he had done that? The Priest looked at him and asked why the other was still holding the outcast?

I ask the same question. Why are we still holding Lew? If we are ever to grow and advance we must let go. The sooner that is done the better.

And the response from the Senior Deacon;

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion...WRONG THOUGH THEY MAY BE!"

If everyone is still holding on to Lew, perhaps it's because they're not ready to let go yet. Grieving takes people different lengths of time; and he was, after all, a formative personality in the life of our church and community. Perhaps the best way to let go of him is to try to fill his big footsteps--by being bigger people ourselves.

And from the Music Director;

I am responsible for the website - I think you know that. If you have any suggestions or issues please let me know personally. Our church has a direct dealing policy. Why didn't you just talk to me about this at church or in person?

Ridiculing/questioning my work with the church is very hurtful and It's hard not to take it as a personal attack - especially if you don't talk to me and instead email a group of people. I do everything i possibly can to make the church grow and make it a positive place for people.

My response after prayerful consideration;

Saturday, August 25th 2007

To: Name withheld, Board of Directors

After much prayerful reflection, sadly given the current circumstances, the question of the status of my conduct has come into question. The result of such accusations and threats appears to promote the potential for investigation, therefore be it known effective immediately that this notice serves as my formal resignation, complete departure from continued involvement, service, relationship and support of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church as of the date provided.
You are hereby instructed to remove my name from the membership roster of the church.
I also instruct The Treasurer to provide my final accounting of my tithing as of this date to the below listed address.

That's it, I'm done.
More juicy tidbits may be forthcoming.

Bodoh Busted an update

Its been in the newspapers, on TV and even on the radio about David Bodoh getting busted. The news headlines always sensational and always ready to reveal all the sordid details about anyone caught trying to meet someone underage that can be classified as Child Enticement or possibly Child Molestation they latch upon like vultures because it is part of the current mania running rampant in our society.

Excuse me while I take the Devil's Advocate view here. This is by no means an endorsement of his actions, so don't get all bent out of shape. There is a bit of irony to this story. Many of us use the Internet to meet people and interact with them on a regular basis. This is where trouble lurks. Many of us create an on-line persona quite different from our own. We become more beautiful with better self images than what we see in reality. Some of us even like to play games where we change genders and age becoming much younger than we actually are. A very dangerous thing to do which could lead to a whole lot of trouble if one is not careful. Many of use aren't, and we get caught.

Then again there are those who create these persona's to entice young people into their good graces and ultimately into their web of deceit. Myself not being a psychologist have no idea what motivates someone to want to have sex with children or anyone who is under age no matter how they look. Other than the sex starved little urchins who prowl the streets and back alleys looking for sex for hire, I confess that I don't understand the motivation behind it all.

The moral of the story is to be careful out there. Things aren't always what they seem. Be careful who you meet and never go alone to meet them. Always meet in a public place and always let a friend know what you are doing and plan to call them to let them know you are OK. Let them know when you are finished and are heading home, them call them when you are back and safe.

Lastly the hearing has been postponed until August 30Th. Keep tuned and I will post the results as soon as I hear them. In the meantime, Be careful out there.